Review summary
This spoiler free review of The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden walks through why this high-stakes thriller that a psychological thriller still hooks readers. This The Boyfriend review follows Sydney Shaw through online dating disasters, a dream doctor boyfriend and the chilling suspicion that she might be falling for a serial killer instead of a soulmate.
Full review
This spoiler free The Boyfriend review follows Sydney Shaw, a thirty something New Yorker whose string of bad dating app matches finally seems to end when she meets Tom, a charming hospital doctor who actually shows up looking better than his profile. Early chapters read almost like a darkly funny take on online dating, but in the background a coastal serial killer is targeting women he meets on dates, so each romantic beat comes with a small pulse of dread.
McFadden builds the book as a tight psychological thriller with short chapters, alternating perspectives and a timeline that gradually reveals how past violence connects to Sydney's present. If you want a The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden summary that captures the appeal without spoiling the twists, think modern dating horror story mixed with cat and mouse thriller: someone is clearly watching Sydney, small lies start to pile up, and every new clue forces you to ask who is trustworthy and who might be grooming their next victim.
In terms of age rating and content warnings, The Boyfriend sits firmly in adult psychological thriller territory. There are on page murders, stalking, domestic violence and references to past abuse; scenes are tense and sometimes graphic, although the focus stays on fear, obsession and manipulation rather than extended gore. It will suit mature older teens and adults who already read dark thrillers; sensitive readers who avoid serial killer plots, partner violence or gaslighting may want to skip it or at least know those elements are central to the story.
If you are wondering whether The Boyfriend is worth reading after devouring The Housemaid, The Teacher or The Tenant, the answer depends on what you liked most about those books. This one pushes harder into dating app anxiety and the question of how well you can really know the person sharing your bed, while still delivering the trademark McFadden twists, rapid pacing and just one more chapter energy. It feels slightly nastier in places, but also surprisingly emotional whenever Sydney weighs her hunger for connection against her survival instincts.
This review also quietly answers longer search style questions readers ask, such as the boyfriend by freida mcfadden summary and main psychological thriller hooks, the boyfriend content warnings and who this book is for, the boyfriend age rating and how disturbing the violence feels, and books like the boyfriend for fans of twisty domestic thrillers and serial killer stories built around online dating. When you are ready to pick it up, you can grab your copy of The Boyfriend on Amazon and then explore our psychological thriller recommendations and Freida McFadden spotlight for more nightmare fuel about perfect strangers who are anything but.
The Boyfriend Review Highlights
Modern dating nightmare premise where a seemingly perfect doctor boyfriend collides with news of a serial killer who hunts his dates.
Short chapters, perspective shifts and constant small reveals that keep you unsure who to trust until the final twist.
A focus on obsession, loneliness and red flags that will resonate with readers who have navigated dating apps in real life.
Who Should Read The Boyfriend
Readers who enjoy fast, twist heavy psychological thrillers about ordinary women facing extraordinary danger.
Fans of The Housemaid and other Freida McFadden books who want another bingeable story with a morally messy lead and sharp final reveal.
Book clubs looking for discussion fodder about trust, online dating safety and why smart people sometimes ignore their instincts.
Content Warnings and Age Rating
Includes on page murder scenes, stalking, domestic violence, emotional abuse and references to past trauma.
Language and tension lean adult, though older teens who already read dark thrillers will handle it if they are comfortable with serial killer plots.
Good fit if you want suspense and psychological unease; not ideal if you avoid stories where romantic partners may be dangerous.
Key ideas
- Online dating magnifies the gap between the person someone presents on a screen and the secrets they keep offline.
- Loneliness and the desire to be chosen can make people rationalize red flags even when danger feels close.
- Obsession and control can masquerade as romance until it is almost too late to escape.
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FAQ
- What is The Boyfriend about?
- The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller about Sydney Shaw, a single woman in New York who finally meets a seemingly perfect doctor after a long run of awful dating app matches, just as a serial killer who targets his dates starts leaving bodies along the coast. The book follows Sydney as she falls in love, notices unsettling details and slowly wonders whether the man she trusts might be hiding something deadly.
- How scary or graphic is The Boyfriend?
- The Boyfriend is more psychologically tense than gory, but it does include on page murders, threats and a few disturbing images tied to a serial killer investigation. Most of the fear comes from watching Sydney question her own judgment while someone with violent intentions moves closer to her life.
- What age rating is appropriate for The Boyfriend?
- Because of violence, stalking, domestic abuse and mature relationship themes, The Boyfriend is best suited to adults and older teens around 16 and up who are already comfortable with dark thrillers. It is not a good pick for younger readers or anyone who prefers their mysteries without serial killers or partner violence.
- Is The Boyfriend worth reading if I already read The Housemaid?
- If you loved The Housemaid for its jaw dropping twists and everyday setting that slowly turns nightmarish, The Boyfriend is a strong next step. It trades the employer employee power dynamic for the risks of online dating and new relationships, but keeps McFadden's trademark pacing, misdirection and final reveal that makes you reconsider earlier chapters.
Reader-focused angles
This review intentionally answers longer questions readers often ask, such as the boyfriend by freida mcfadden spoiler free review and content warnings, the boyfriend age rating, graphic scenes and who this psychological thriller is for, is the boyfriend worth reading if you loved the housemaid and other freida mcfadden books, and books like the boyfriend for readers who enjoy twisty domestic psychological thrillers, so the guidance fits naturally into the analysis instead of living in a keyword list.
Each section of the review is written to speak directly to those searches, making it easier for book clubs, educators, and new readers to find the specific perspectives they need.
Reading guide
- Track every moment when Sydney notices something odd about Tom and note which warnings she dismisses and why.
- Compare how you feel about Sydney in early chapters versus later ones; what do the reveals do to your sympathy for her.
- List the story's major lies and secrets, then discuss which ones you saw coming and which twists genuinely blindsided you.
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